﻿Eikev: Two Loves for Eretz Yisrael

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This week:
Bechukotai

The Blessings of Torah Scholars

The Talmud (Berachot 50a) gives a litmus test to determine if an
individual is truly a Torah scholar: listen to how he recites berachot
(blessings). Clearly, when berachot are recited
sincerely, they reflect a proper outlook on life and help instill
important traits such as gratitude to God. What is less obvious is
that even the detailed laws for blessings reflect fundamental
concepts of the Torah. For this reason, Torah scholars are
punctilious in their blessings.

Loving the Land of Israel

The following story gives one example of such an exacting approach
towards blessings. It also contains an important lesson about love
for the Land of Israel.

“Rabbi Hisda and Rabbi Hamenuna were seated at a meal, and were
served dates and pomegranates. Rabbi Hamenuna made the blessing
over the dates.
Rabbi Hisda told him, ‘Do you not agree that those
fruit mentioned earlier in the verse take precedence when reciting
the blessing?’
Rabbi Hamenuna responded, ‘Dates are mentioned
second after the word “land”, while pomegranates are only mentioned
fifth.’
Rabbi Hisda exclaimed, ‘If only we had legs of iron to
always follow you and learn from you!'” (Berachot 41b)

The two scholars referred to the verse that praises the Land of
Israel for seven grains and fruits:

“It is a land of wheat, barley, grapes, figs and pomegranates; a
land of oil-olives and honey-dates.” (Deut. 8:8)

Rabbi Hisda felt that the blessing should reflect the order of the
produce mentioned in the verse. Thus, pomegranates should come
first. Rabbi Hamenuna explained that while the order in the verse
is indeed important, there is an even more important factor: how
close is the fruit to the word “land” in the verse? Pomegranates
are the fifth produce mentioned after the first time “land” appears
in the verse; dates, however, are the second fruit mentioned after
“land” appears a second time in the verse. In other words, the
position of dates in the verse indicates a greater closeness to the
Land of Israel; therefore, this fruit deserves to come first.

The thought and care that Rabbi Hamenuna gave to his blessing
demonstrates the importance he placed on loving EretzYisrael. This
great love stems from recognizing the unique qualities of the Land
- qualities that enable the Jewish people and all of humanity to
attain spiritual goals. One who is closer to the Land of
Israel, and demonstrates a greater connection to it, comes first
for blessing. Such an individual is closer to the perfection that
is attained through this special land.

Two Types of Love

Yet, we may ask: why is the word “land” mentioned twice in the
verse? Why does the verse divide up the produce of EretzYisrael
into two categories?

There are in fact two types of love for the Land of Israel. One’s
appreciation for the Land is a function of his spiritual level and
awareness. Some value EretzYisrael because of its unique spiritual
qualities. They long “to take pleasure in her stones and love her
dust” (Psalms 102:15) in order to fulfill the mitzvot that are
connected to the Land. They recognize the blessings that EretzYisrael
provides for the spiritual elevation of the Jewish people and the
entire world.

Then there are those who appreciate the land for its material
benefits. They recognize its value as a homeland for the Jewish
people, and work towards settling and rebuilding the land. This
form of devotion to the Land of Israel, even though it does not take into
account its special spiritual qualities, is nonetheless a
good and positive trait.

The verse mentions the word “land” twice, each time followed by a
list of produce. This corresponds to the two forms of devotion to
the Land of Israel. The first list of produce represents those who
love the Land for its elevated, spiritual properties. This group
consists of five fruits and grains, corresponding to the Five Books of
Moses. This devotion to EretzYisrael stems from the world of
Torah, from an awareness of the spiritual goals of the Jewish
people and the entire world.

The second list contains oil-olive, symbolizing knowledge, and the
honey-date, representing material contentment. These fruits
represents those who appreciate the Land as a place where the
Jewish people can be successful in the material spheres of life,
whether academic, cultural, or economic.

Rabbi Hamenuna taught us an important lesson: how great is the love
for the Land of Israel, even when this love is limited to its
physical benefits. When they are connected to the community, all
material matters become spiritual ones; the elevated goals will
automatically be realized through the bonds of God’s people to
His Land.

The Pomegranate and the Date

Why does the date take precedence before the pomegranate? Even
though the pomegranate belongs to the first group, it is the last fruit in
the list. The pomegranate represents those who are aware of the
holy qualities of EretzYisrael, yet in practice remain distant from the Land.
These individuals unfortunately take few practical measures to
express their love for the Land.

The date, on the other hand, is near the top of the second group.
It represents those who only recognize the material benefits of the
Land of Israel. Through their efforts, however, they are much closer to the
Land, taking practical steps in settling and rebuilding it. Such a
person, Rabbi Hamenuna taught, should be strengthened and presented
first for a blessing. Devotion to the Land, when promoted in
practical, concrete efforts, is a wonderful thing. Thus we find the
Talmud (Sanhedrin 102b) states that Omri merited to be king in
reward for establishing a city in the Land of Israel, even though
his intentions were certainly pragmatic.

Legs of Iron

Now we can understand Rabbi Hisda’s fervent response, “If only we had legs
of iron to always follow you and learn from you!” Rav Hisda understood the inner
message of Rabbi Hamenuna’s teaching. One needs “legs of iron” —
courage and fortitude like iron — in order to be able
to receive this remarkable message, and appreciate the importance of
the material strength of Israel.

Similarly, on the national level, we need “legs of iron,” powerful
means to build up the physical aspects of the nation. Then we will
have the spiritual strength to create a courageous national spirit.
“And we will learn from you” — we will follow your path of Torah,
and merit inheriting the Land through love and wholeness and inner
strength.